Stenciling machine



Oct. 20, 1931. ,1 E. sHAvER, JR

STENGI'LING MACHINE Filed March 9. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 061.'. 20,1931. -1 E, SHAVER, JR 1,828,298

STENCILING MACHINE Filed March 9. 1929 2 sheets-sheet '2 Patented Oct.29, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JAMES E. SHAVER, JR., OFPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGN'OR TO 'UNDER- WOOD ELLIOTT FISI-IER-COM'PANY, OF NEVI YORK, N. Y., Av CORPORATION OF DELA- l mechanism.

WARE

STENGILING MACHINE Application filed March 9,

The present invention relates generally to rotary duplicating machinesof the class Where 'a perforated cylinder carries an inked stencil-sheetarranged to be brought into rolling contact with the Work-sheet ted tostenciling position, as determined by engagement of the stencil-cylinderand a platen-roller, and more particularly to such machines equippedwith auxiliary Worksheet-feeding Certain features of the presentinvention may be advantageously applied to a duplicating machineof thekind disclosed in the -co-pending application of Linden A. Thatcher,Serial No. 334,157, filed January 22, 1929, now Patent 1,788,782, Jan.13, 1931, but other features may be used With other types of duplicatingmachines, and with printing machines.

As employed'insaid application, the stenf cil-cylinder Was continuouslyrotated and the auxiliary feeding mechanism was arranged for feeding aWork-sheet from a preliminary position, in a predetermined timerelation, to the cylinder While it Was rotated at full speed. It hasbeen found that in doing certain kinds of stencil-Work such as forexample, when stencil-characters are required to be very accuratelypositioned on previously- 'printed forms, it is preferable to stop thelstencil-cylinder and secure moi'e accurate registration of theWork-sheets iiiser ing them directly to stenciling position between thestationary cylinder and the platen-roller.

An importanteature o the present invention resides in the provision of aduplicating' machine which can be set for having Worksheets rapidly fedto its stencil-cylinder While the latter is continuously rotated; andWhich can also be set to have its stencil-cylinder autoinaticallystopped after each Work-sheet is stenciled, and to vhave other parts ofthe machine co-operatingly arranged whereby Work-sheets may be manuallyand accurately inserted directly to stenciling position.

To carry out this feature of changing the Work-condition of theduplicating or stenciling machine, a. stop-member for arresting therotation of the stencil-cylinder is displace! ably mounted on themachine, and a handlecarryingcontrol-device is operatively con- 1929.Serial No. 345,780.

nected to the stop-member, whereby the liandle, when set in oneposition, leaves the stop ineective to arrest ythe rotation of thestencil-cylinder, and when moved to another position makes'the stopeffective for arresting the rotation of the cylinder after each Work-vsheet is stenciled. An operative connection is provided between thehandle and the Worksheet leading-edge gage-pins of the auxiliaryWork-sheet feeding and timing mechanism, which is eifective to removethe gage-pins from the path' of the Work-sheets and lock them in adisabled position simultaneously upon moving the stencil-cylinder stopto et'- fective position. A Work-sheet may then be inserted past theauxiliary Worksheet-feeding mechanism to stenciling position.

It is proposed to make the stencil-cylinder and other relatively largeparts of the machine out of an aluminum alloy to secure a light andportable stenciling machine; and a feature of the present inventionresides in the provision of means for mounting a pair ofY stop-lugs onthe aluminum stencil-cylinder for engagement With the displaceablestopmember, so that the impact strain resulting from this engagementwill be transmitted tothe frame of the stenciling machine throughpartsfivell suited to stand such strains. In carrying out this featurethe lugs are integrally joined to a Work-sheet timing cam,'

which is rigidly mounted on the cylinder adjacent one end.

Another feature ot the invention resides in the provision of deviceseffective for adjusting the timing cam peripherally around the cylinderover a large extent of angular arc,

and for also adjusting the cam with a subto the facory to have theparallelism restored.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide means for bringingthe stencil-cylinder and platen-roller into parallelism when displacedtherefrom, which means can be easlly operated in the office where themachine is used and without disabling it.

In carrying out further features of the invention, it is proposed thatthe platen-roller shaft be knurled intermediate its ends and have a.core of hard rubber molded therearound, and an outer shell of rubbersofter than has been used heretofore be fastened to the core forsecuring more positively inked stencil-characters; that two side-edgelguides for Work-sheets be provided on the front feed table, each of theguides to have a large lateral adjusting movement, and one of the guidesto have in addition a micromel ric adr movement; that means be providedfor cushioning the strain resulting from the displaceably-mountedplaten-roller falling away from the stencil-cylinder; and that thestencil-sheet be positively clamped on the stencil-cylinder againstloosening by a plate havin suitable longitudinal serrations for engagingthe stencil-sheet.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective View of a duplicating machinehaving ceriain features of my invention applied thereto. In this view,the machine is shown as set for havin work-sheets rapidly fed to thestencilcy inder while the latter is being continuously rotated.

Figure 2 is an opera-tional view, showing m" the relative location ofthe parts when the auxiliar feeding mechanism is disabled and the macine is set to have work-sheets manually inserted past the auxiliaryfeeding mechamsm to stenciiinv position. In this view, l the work-sheetlead'ng-edge gages are shown locked in ineffective position.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating an operaiveconnection between a stop for the stencil-cylinder and work-sheetleading-edge gages employed in practicing my invention.

Figure 4 is an elevational view, looking toward the front of themachine., partly I broken away, of work-sheet side-edge guides mountedon the feed table of the senciling machine.

Figure 5 is a detail side view, partly in section, illustrating apreferred construction `of a. platen-roller employed in practicing myinvention.

Figure 6 is a detail view, in cross-section illustrating theconstruction of devices for varying the timing of the auxiliaryworksheet-feedin mechanism.

Figure 7 1s a det-ail view, showing a small developed or flat portion ofthe perforated shell of the stencil-cylinder.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary side view of the stenciling machine in whichis illustrated means for adjusting the platen-roller angularly withrespect to the axis of the stencilcyfinder.

Figures 9, l() and 11 are operational views, showing the relativepositioni of certain parts during diti'eren-t stages of t two kinds ofsteneiling operations capable of being perforn'ied on the stencilingmachine of the present invention, one kind when the stencil-cylinder iscontinuously operated and the other when it is stopped after stencilingeach sheet.

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 2, eertain parts pertaining to theauxiliary worksheet-feeding mechanism being shown in this view whichwere omitted in Figure 2'for sake of clearness.

Figure 10 shows the work-sheet leadingedge gages set for gaging awork-sheet which has been inserted against them, to be fed thereafter tostenciling position by the auxiliary worksheet-feeding mechanism.

Figure 11 shows the work-sheet just after its leading edge has passedbetween the stem cil-cylinder and the platen-roller after being fedthereto by the auxiliary feeding mechanism from the Figure 1() position.In this view, the gages are shown temporarily removed from the path ofthe worksheet.

Figure 12 is a detail view, in cross-section, which illustrates theclamping device for hnlding the stencil-sheet taut around thestencil-cylinder. The dot-and-dash outline of the clamping deviceillustrates a preferred way of bringing the same into engagement withthe stencil-sheet.

A duplicating or stenciling machine for carrying out the presentinvention may have a main frame, generally designated as 10, made up ofright-hand and left-hand side plates 11 and 12, respectively, whichplates may be connected by cross-bars 13. The side plates 11 and 12 maybe supported on soft rubber feet 14. Reduced upper end portions 15 ofthe side-frame members 11 and 12 am arranged with bearings 16, each ofthe latter including a cap 17 which may be removably fastened by screws18. The bearings 16 are arranged to receive a shaft 19 of astencilcylinder 20.

A paper-feed table, generally designated ls 21, is pivoted at the frontof the main frame on screws 22, and may be supported by bracket-arms 23.The construction of the table 21 may be substantially the same as thepaperfeed table shown and described in said copending application ofThatcher, except as otherwise noted hereinafter.

For lateral guiding work-sheets lV While feeding them, one by one, tostenciling position or to an initial position for engagement by theauxiliary work-sheet-feeding mechalll) ., 36, respectively.

by cementing.

nism of the machine, right and leftv lateral guides 26 and 27,respectively, are mounted on the table 21. The guide 26 includes aguide-plate 23 disposed perpendicularly to the work-face of thework-table 21, and at right angles to the axis of the cylinder 20. Theplate 28 is riveted on two laterally-extending screws 29 which passthrough holes in an upreaehing flange-extension 30 of arightwardly-extending elongated braclretplate 31 which has a lengthwiseslot 32, A spacer-plate 33 is riveted to the table 21 under thebracket-plate 3l and has two bent-up guide-lugs 311i, one on'eacli endfor engaging with a sliding fit in the slot 32. A lower end of anupreaching screw 3l" is riveted to the plate 33 and extends up throughthe slot 32 to receive a thumb-nut 36 for adjustably fastening the plate31 on the table 21. A relatively stiff compression spring 37 is disposedaroun'd the screws 29 between the guide-plate 26 and extension 30, and athumb-nut 3S is provided to engage around the outer free end of each ofthe screws 29. This eonstrnction` can be seen from inspection Figures 1and 4C, permits a relatively great lateral adjustment of the guide-plate23, and also provides for micrometric adjustment which is very usefulfor accurately positioning worl-- sheets which are required to have sidemargins of exact widths.

The left-hand guide 27 may be fastened as by riveting to an upreachingflange-extension 4.0 upon the right end of an elongatedbracket-plate 41provided with a lengthwise slot 42. The plate-member may be adjustablyfastened to the table by a plate 43, a screw 44 and a thumb-nut 45,which may be construct-ed like the plate 33, screvvT 35 and nut As willbe' noted from inspection of Figure et, the guides 26 and 27 are heldslightly above the work-face of the table 2l. A safeguard against thelower worksheet YV` of a feed-pack disposed in position between theguide-plates 26 and 27 slipping endwise under the guides is provided byhaving each of the `guides and 27 terminate in an inreachingshelf-extension 46 on which the lowest work-sheet will rest.

finished work-fa ce of the table 21, each extension may have aprotective platine` 47 of a soft material, such as leather or rubber,which plating may be fastened to the extension, as A micrometricadjustment of the guide 27 is not essential since such an adjustment isprovided for the pairedguide 26, which may be accurately set first, anda work-sheet to be stenciled maybe placed with -the right-hand edgeagainst the giiide 26 and the left guide may then be moved up withinclose proximity to the kleft sideV edge of the work-sheet. y

For providing a rolling Contact between a -Work-sheet-.T/V and thestencil-cylinder 20, a

To prevent Athe extensions 46 scratching or marring the pressure-roller50, sometimes called a platenroller, is mounted on a metal shaft 5lwhich is supported in a swing-frame 52 for engaging against the lowerside of the cylinder. It has been found that more evenly inkedstencil-characters are secured by employing a pressure-roller of softerrubber than has been used heretofore. As is well known in the rubberart, soft rubber cannot be securely and permanently bonded directly on ametal shaft. It is a feature ofthe present invention to provide a rubberpressure or platen roller of the desired softness which is firmly andpermanently secured on the metal shaft 51. To this end. the shaft isprovided with linurls 53, and a hard rubber core 5e is molded around theshaft and grips the latter firmly and rigidly because of the knurls. Anouter shell 55 of suitably soft rubber may be bonded securely to thecore 54 as by vulcanizing in a well-known Way.

A roller-bearing' unit 56 may be of a wellknown construction. It isusually mounted (see Thatcher Patent 1,683,741) on each endportion ofshaft 51, and the two units usually engage in annular grooves 57 cut inthe peripheries of concave semi-circular bearing notches 58 n.5- allyprovided in side-frame members 60 of the frame 52.

Each side-frame member 6() extends from the roller 50 toward the frontand has an enlarged front end provided with apertures which engage witha running fit about a cross-v rod 61. It is very important for doinggood stencil-wor land for getting a. maximum life from stencil-sheetsemployed in the stenciling, that the axis of the platen-roller 50 beaccurately parallel to the axis of the stencilcylinder 2O so that'thelatter and the platenroller may have a true tangential engagement witheach other. As stenciling machines have been constructed heretofore, theplatenroller was usually fixed in parallelism with the axis of thestencil-cylinder at the factory, ano` if this parallelism wasaccidentally destroyed after leavingr the factory it was usuallynecessary to return the entire stenciling machine to the factory to havethe above-noted parallelism restored. A feature of the present inventionresides in providing` for bringing the axis of the roller 50 intoparallelism with the axis of the cylinder 20 byf means which can beeasily and quickly operated in the efiice where the stenciling machineis being used. and without dismantling the machine, To this end, anelongated slot 62 is provided in the left side plate 12. the long axisof the slot being disposed in a substantially horizontal plane throughthe axis of the cross-rod 61, which passes outwardly through the slotand is pivotallyfastened to an adjusting arm 63. This arm may bepivctally fastened against the outside faceof the frame-member 12 on ascrew Gepositioned above the rod 61 and threaded in a tapped hole inYthe frame-member. The arm extends downwardly adjacent the lower edge ofthe frame-member and terminates in an inverted T-shaped portion 65 whichis provided with an arcuate slot 66 which centers about the screw 64. Ashoulder-screw 67 engages through the slot 66 and threaded into theframe-member 12 to be etl'ective to press the lower end of the arm 63tightly against the face of the frame-member 12. It can be seen from theabove description and an inspection of Figures l and 8 that the crossrod61 and shaft 51 may be adjusted angularl'y with res )ect to the axis ofthe cylinder in a plane substantially parallel thereto by simplyloosening the screws 67 and 64 and swinging the arm 63 the necessaryamount, and thereafter tightening the screws 64 and 67, which operationscan be easily performed from outside the frame and without removing anyparts from the machine.

It will be noted that mounting the shaft 51 in the ball-bearing units 56is especially advantageous because of preventing binding of the shaft'when it is moved a small amount mgularly into parallelism with thestencilcylinder shaft 19. An auxiliary worksheet-feeding mechanism isprovided in practicing the present inmtion, and includes a plurality ofaxiall aligned rollers 7() which normally project slight y above astationary rearward extension 7110i the feeding table 2l. The rollers 70are mounted on a shaft 72 which is journaled `in the side-frame members69 of the swing-frame 52, and each end of the shaft maybe arranged witha ball-bearing frictionreducing unit (not shown) which may beconstmloted and mounted like the unit 56 so as to permit slight angularmovement of the shaft 72 without binding.

For rotating the rollers 70 in the same direetion as the platen-roller50, the shaft 72 may be connected to the shaft 51 by a geartrain 73which may be constructed like the gear-train disclosed in theabove-noted application of Thatcher.

The platen-roller 50, in operative position, engages against the lowerside of the stencilc vlinder and establishes a stenciling positionwherein the work-sheets W are brought into rolling contact, one afteranother, with a stencil-sheet 75. It is a feature of the presentinvention to provide means for yieldingly urging the platen-roller witha uniform pressure against the stencil-cylinder at all points along theline of contact of the cylinder and roller. To this end, each of theside framemembers has an integral downwardly-projecting aperturedlug-member 76. The ends of a cross-rod 77 are journaled loosely in thelug-members 76. A downwardly-extending guide-rod is fastened in adiametrical hole through the cross-rod 7 7 and is referably positionedin a vertical plane w ich is parallel to the sides of the swing-frame52, and extending through the center of gravity of the swing-frame. Thelower end of the rod 78 passes through an oversize hole 79 in alaterally-extending stub-shaft 80 rotatably mounted in the rear end ofan arm 81, which extends forwardly and is rigidly fastened to arock-shaft 82 extending between the side frame-members 11 and 12. Arecess 83 may be made in the upper side of the shaft 8() around the hole79 to form a scat for a relatively stiff compression spring 84, whichengages around the rod 78 between the crossrod 77 and the shaft 80.

The lower end portion of the rod 78 extends below the shaft 8() and isthreaded for receiving two nuts'85 which are effective for adjusting theinitial tension in the spring 84, for a purpose to presently appear.Means for releasably locking the platen-roller 50 in operativeengagement with the stencilcylinder 2O may include a locking arm 86mounted loosely on the right end of the shaft 82 and disposed againstthe outer face of the side frame-member 11. The arm 86 may have anoperative and adjustable connection to the shaft 82 by devices includinga bell-crank member 87, which is pivoted in the arm 86 and has a tooth88 engaging in atwo-toothed gearmember 89 fast on the shaft 82. Agraduated adjusting head 90 is rotatably mounted on the right end of theshaft 82. The abovementioned device connecting the arm 86 and the shaft82 may be constructed as disclosed in Patent No. 1,559,058, granted toLinden A. Thatcher October 27, 1925.

When the platen-roller 50 is held in operative position, the arm 86 islocked in the Figure 1 position by a spring-held locking trigger 91which engages a reduced front end portion of the arm. For manuallyreleasing the trigger 91, the latter has a fingerpiece 92 extendingforwardly substantially at right angles to the body of the finger-pie.For restoring the arm 86 to its locking (Figure 1) position, afinger-piece 93 is provided on the arm.

It can be seen from the above description in connection with theinspection of Figures 1 and 8, that the platen-roller 50 can be umdagainst the cylinder 20 with a light or a heavy pressure, which can beeasily varied by the use of either the nuts 85 or the adjusting head 90,or both together. It will also be noted that by the above-describedconstruction the setting of the platen-roller 50 for a, thick work-sheetcan be changed for accommodating relatively thin work-sheets wit-houtaffecting the desirable resilient shock-absorbing support of theswing-frame 52 provided by the spring 84. It will be further noted thatco-action of the abovedescribed non-rigid swing-frame 52 and therockable support of the same by the resilient spring 84 is effective tourge the platen-roller with uniform pressure 'at all points against thestencil-cylinder, irrespective of small manufacturing variations.

,An auxiliary work-'sheet-feeding mechanism is employed inthe presentinvention, and includes iii-addition to the rollers a plurality ofrollers which are revolubly mounted on a swing-shaft 96, one of therollers 95 being positioned above each one of the rollers 70.` -Theshaft 96 is mounted in the rear ends of two rock-arms 97, each of whichis `rockably mounted on the cross-rod 61. For moving the rollers 95 downinto engagement againstv the roller '70 at a predetermined time, acam-roller 98 is mounted on a rear upturned end of a lever 99 forengagement with devices, hereinafter described, and which are mounted onthe stencil-cylinder 20. The lever 99 is fulcrumed loosely about arock-shaft 100 and is operatively connected to the latter for rocking itby instrumentalities including a rod 101, a spring 102 therearound, anda bell-crank 103 operatively connectedto the rod 101 and fastened on theright end of the shaft 100. Operative connections between the shaft 100and the right and left roller-carryingarms 97 include, for the rightarm, a rearward extension 104 of the Same, anda link 105 looselyfastened to the extension and the bell-crank 103; and for the left arm,a rear extension 106 of the same, a bell-crank 107 fast on the shaft100, and a link 108 loosely connected to the eX- tension 106 and thebell-crank 107. The rollers 95 are spring-urged toward an upperineffective position whichis determined by a stop-screw 109 in the frame10, which is arranged to be abutted by a portionr of the bell-crank 107.The construction of the parts forming the operative connections betweenthe cam-roller 98 and the rollers 95 may be the same as for like partsdisclosed in the above-noted co-pending application of Thatcher. c

lVhen the stenciling machine is operated in a manner to have thestencil-cylinder 20 continuously rotated, each work-sheet W is manuallyinserted to a starting or initial position, wherein it is engaged by therollers 70 and 95 and advanced by them to stenciling position lbetweenthe stencil-cylinder 20 and the platen-roller' 50. Work-sheets W aregaged to initial position by two upreaching leading-edge gage-pins .110,each of which is integrally joined to the end of an arm 111 of aU-shaped bail-member 112, the latter being loosely pivoted on thecross-rod 61, and is held against lateral movement thereonby pins 113 inthe rod 6'1. Similarly arranged pins 113 may be employed for holding theside-frame member 60 against lateral displacement on the rod 61.

For moving the gage-pins out of the path of the work-sheet W, the bail112 is operatively connected tothe rock-shaft 100 by means of a bolt114, a spring 115 therearound, and an arm 116 Vfastened on the rockshaft100, and operatively engaging the bolt 114." The construction of theabove-mentioned work-sheet gaging devices may be the same as forsimilarv devices disclosed in the above-noted (3o-pendingV applicationof Thatcher, except as hereinafter described.

Should the leading edge of a. work-sheet lV fail to reach stencilingposition before the inked stencil-sheet 75 on the continuouslyrotatingstencil-cylinder 20, the platen-roller 50 would be smudged. 4To guardagainst such undesirable smudging, means are provided in the presentinvention which includes a plurality of feeler-pins 118 mounted on alateral bar-member` 119 which is carried by arms 120 fastened on arock-shaft 121. Mechanism operatively connected to the rockshaft 121 isset by upward movement of the feeler-pins when a work-sheet is notproperly placed in initial position, and is operated by a predeterminedrotary movement of the stencil-cylinder 20 for releasing the lockingtrigger 91 and letting the platen-roller 50 fall away from thestencil-cylinder. This stencil-cylinder-operated mechanism includes arearwardiy-extending arm 122 fast on the shaft 121, an upstanding lever123 pivoted on the rearend of the arm 122 and terminating in annpr-caching trip-finger 124 which, upon upward movements of thefeeler-pins 118,` is moved upward into the path of a lug 125 carried bysaid stencil-cylinder. A link 126 operatively connects the lower end ofthe lever 123 to the trigger 91. The construction and operation of themechanism. just described for automatically unlocking the plater1-roller50 may be the same as disclosed in said co-pending application ofThatcher.

A cam-device, generally designated as 130, is carried by the cylinder 20and has an outwardly inclined cam-element 131, a dwellelement 132 and a?declining element 133.

Engagement of the cam-element 131 with if the cam-roller 98 iseffective, through the above-described mechanism, to swing the rollers95 downwardly against the rollers 70. The positioningof the cam-deviceon the cylinder therefore determines the instant of operation of'thework-sheet auxiliary feeding mechanism,'and thus controls the timing ofthe work-sheets. It is therefore very desirable to mount the cam-deviceon the cylinder 20 for' peripheral adjustment therearound. For reasonsto presently appear, it is desirable to provide two integral stop-lugs1351` and 135 on the cam-member 130, which lugs in performing theirfunctions hereinafter disclosed will be subjected to impact strains.

It is a. featureof the present invention to mount the cam-member 130 onthe stencilcylinder for peripheral adjustment therearound over a largeextent of angular arc,

malso provide for a substantially micrometric angular movement of thecam-member forafmdingline adjustments of the stencilingm ron theworksheets, particularly oewo -shoots having forms printed thereon.'itis a further feature of the invention to provide `a strong, rigidmounting for the cam-r whereby the strains transmitted to it from thelugs 134 and 135 will be further trannitted to a portion of thecylindex' 20 well suited for receiving such strains. In carrying outthese features, the right end portion of the stencil-cylinder barrel isarwth an inte l, internal annular rib-0r h 140 which is positionedinwardly a short distance from the right extremity of the cyadorebarrel.The outer surface of the rib is nished smooth to have seated closely atita rotatable end or head member 141 'oh has en integral, outreachingcylindrical flange or rim 142. The outer surface of the rim 142ieinishcd smooth to enga-ge with ihoclose t in the right end of thecylinder 2Q, the latter bein finished smooth for receiving the end memr.

`The width of the rim 142 need extend out from the end member 141 onlyslightly beyoud theright end of the cylinder-barrel, except that it iswidened at one point to provide anY integral outreaching shelf 143. Thecenvdevice 130 is strongly and ri idl mountedon the convex face of the sel 143 by screws 144, which may pass through apertumd flattened ears145, one at the outer end of the cam-element 131, and one at the outerend of the declining element 133. To brace the oem-devi 130 againstbeing displaced about a line through the screws 144, anintegralextension 146 of the lug 125, which is integrally joined to thedwell-element 132, is bent down and has an apertured ear 147, which maybe fastened to the rim 142 by a screw 148.

The cylinder end member 141 is provided with an integral hub 150,apertured for engagi around the shaft 19. For fastening the hn on theshaft, the hub is made with a Slot 151 for receiving a pin 152 which isinserted in a hole in the shaft.

Two arcuate siots 153 and 154 are cut through the lend member 141, andare disposed d-iametrically opposite each other, one on eachside of theaxis of the hub 150, around which the slots center. Each slot extendsover an `angular are of approximately 9() degreoscand is sitioned nearenough the rim 142 that the inner periphery of the rib 140 extendswellpast each slot., preferably a half inch or more;

@A shoulder-stud 155, having a diameter slightly smaller than the widthof the slot 153, extends' therethrough and has a reduced Inner end rtionwhich extends with a tight fit throng a hole in the rib 140, the innerterminating in a riveted head 156, formed tightly against the inner faceof the rib. `A thumb-nut 157 engages over the outer end of the stud andis eective to press the ai jacent portion of the end member 141 tightlyagainst the rib 140. v

A stud-screw 158, which ma be a duplicate of the stud 155, is dispoopposite the latter in the slot 154, and has a reduced end portionpassing through a hole in the rib 140 and terminating in a riveted head159 formed tightly against the inner face of the rib which holds thescrew 158 firmly in position at right angles to the end member 141. Apiniondevice, generally designated as 160, has a barrel-portion 161arranged with an axial bore 162 for engaging around the .stud 1,58 witha running lit. An enlarged integral end of the barrel 161 has gear-teethcut in it to form a pinion 163. The outer end of the barrel is enlargedand knurled to form a thumb-screw head 164.

A convex gear-sector 165 is fastened, as by screws 166, to the outerface of the end member 141, and is disposed a distance inward from theslot 154 suiciently to have the teeth of the pinion 163 mesh with theteeth of the sector. The left end of the cylinder 20 (not shown) may beintegral therewith and arranged to turn freel about the steneil-cylinder shaft 19 when tlie latter is held stationary. It can be seen frominspection of F` ure 1 that the stencil-cylinder 20 being bgd againstrotary movement and the thumb-nut 157 being loosened, rotation of thethumbscrew head 164 will revolve the end member 141 and move' with itthe cam-device 130 angnlarly with respect to the leading edge ofY thestencil-sheet 75 on the cylinder 20.

The pitch-diameter of the pinion 163 is very small relative to thepitch-diameter of the gear-sector 165, and it can be 1 readily seen thatby a suitable rotary manual movement of the thumb-piece 164 asubstantially micrometric adjusting movementofthe camdevice 130 isobtainable; To facilitate setting the cam-device 130, a graduated scale167 of a well-known kind may be mounted on the rim 142for cooperationwith an index mark 168 on the cylmder 20. When the cam-device 130 hasbeen set in the desired predetermined position, the thumb-nut 157 may bescrewed down tightly, and a jam-nut 169 may be screwed inward around theouter end of the screw 158 unt-il it forces the pinion-member tightlyagainst the end member 141. The end member and the cani-device 130thereon will now be fastened securely against rotary movement relativeto the cylinder 20. Any strain which cornes on the cuwdevice will betransmitted to the end member, thence to the shaft 19, at a pointadjacent the side frame-member 11.

Itis a feature of the present invention to provide an improved means forholding the stoncil-sheet 75 taut on the stencil-cylinder pear.

of the duplicating machine. To this end, a lengthwise channel or groove17 0 is formed in the cylinder 20 by bending inward end portions 171 ofa perforated shell 172 of the cylinder and fastening each end portion toa channel-plate 17 3 by screws 174 as illustrated in Figure 12. Each endof a'usual ink-mat 175 may be arranged in a well-known way for receivinga rod 176. lVhen the mat is engaged around the cylinder 20 with almost asufficient operative tautness, the rods 17 G will both hang over intothe channel 170 against the end portions 171, a short distance above thelbottom of the channel. Vhen the stencil-sheet is engaged closely aroundthe mat 175, the two ends of the stencil-sheet will extend over into thechannel 170 well past the rods 176.

For holding the stencil-sheet tautly and securely in place, there isprovided a combined cover and clamping plate generally designated as17'7 and having a convex outer face 178, which face is curvedapproximately in the same radius as the stencil-cylinder shell 172. Theclamping plate is further provided with side mem'bers 180 which convergetoward each other. The outer faces of these said devices have aplurality of lengthwise serrations or fine teeth 181 of triangularcross-section. The outer edges of these triangular teeth will preferablybe slightly dulled for reasons to presently ap- The rate of convergenceof the side members 180 will be such that when the plate 177 is put inplace over the groove 17 0 and pressed down until its outer face forms asubstantial continuation of the curved surface of the stencil-sheet 75,the teeth 181 will grip the ends of the stencil-sheet securely againstthe ink-mat portions around the rods 17 6, the latter usually beingpressed down adjacent the bottom of the channel 170. This construction,besides helping to draw the stencil-sheet 75 and mat 175 taut around thecylinder 20, serves eHiciently its main purv ing devices of the kinddescribed in Patent No. 1,597,250 granted to E. G. Rowley August 24,1926.

In carrying out the feature of the present invention, which provides forchanging the work condition of the stenciling machine so that themachine when arranged for stenciling work-sheets fed tothecontinuously-rotatingstencil-cylinder can be changed so that thework-sheets may be inserted more accurately to the stenciling positionbetween the stencil-cylinder 20 and the platen-roller 50 while both arestopped, means are provided for stopping the rotation of the cylinderafter each work-sheet is stenciled. These stopping means include astop-member 185 which is pivotally mounted about an inreaching pin 186fastened securely, as by riveting, in an arm 187 which is pivoted on ashoulderscrew 188 in an inreaching lug 190, the latter being integrallyjoined to the right side plate 11. A tensile spring 191, at one endfastened to the arm 187 and the other end fastened to a fixed member ofthe machine-end, is effective for normally urging the forward end of thestop 4185 down against the head of the screw .188. The arm 187 extendsrearwardly from the lug 190, and its rear end is bent rightwardly toform a flange-like camfollower 192. rlhe pin 186 is positioned betweenthe lug 190 and the flange 192. A tensile spring 198, which has one endfast to the arm 187 and the other end to a stationary member of themachine (not shown), is effective to urge the lower edge of thecam-follower 192 against a feed-control cam-device, soineuimes called achange-over device, and generally designated as 195. This device may bepivotally mounted on an inreaching lug 196 integrally joined to the sideframe 11 and positioned rearwardly from the lug 190.

rlhe change-over device 195 may be formed as illustrated in Figures 1and 3 from sheet metal. The device may have an arm 197 which extendsrearwardly in stops opposite an arcuate slot 198 provided in the sideframemember 11. A handle 200 for setting the change-over device ineither feed-control position is fastened to the rear end of the arm 197and extends rightwardly through the slot 198 beyond the outer face ofthe framemember 11. A portion of the device 195 adjacent its pivot isarranged with a cam-edge 201, and preferably has a shape such as isillustrated in Fivure 2.

Yhen the handle 200 is disposed adjacent the lower end of the slot 198,as illustrated in Figure 3, the flange 192 rests in a notch 202 at theforward end of the cam-edge 201. W'hen the handle 200 is wung upadjacent the upper end of the slot 198, the vcam-follower 192 ridesupwardly on the cam 201 to the Figure 2 position against a stop-linger203 integrally joined to the cam-device. The change-over device 195 islatched in its upper (Figure 2) position by engagement of theflange-like cam-follower 192 in a shallow notch 204 at the base of thestop-finger 203, the spring 193 being effective to pull the arm 187 downwith force enough to latch the change-over device securely in thisposition. The upward movement of the arm 187 is effective to raise thecylinder-stop 185 to operative position, wherein it is effective forengaging the stop-lugs 134 and 135m stop- 3 link 211.

ping the cylinder 20 after each Work-sheet 1s steneiled. In itseffective position the stop 185 co-acts with the stop-lugs 134 and 135in the same way as is described in Patent No. 1,583,612 granted to meMay 4, 1926.

It canbe seen from inspection of Figures 1 and 10 that when thestop-member 185 is moved to position for co-opera-tion with the lugs 134and 135 for accurate feeding of work-sheets directly to stencilingposition that the ga ,re-pins must be removed from the path o theworksheets IV. It is a feature of the present invention to remove thesepims simultaneously upon movement of the stop-member 185 to effectiveposition. To carry out this feature, the change-over device 195 has aforward extension 205 which terminates in` a rightwardly-bent flange 206disposed forwardly from the lug 196. A bail` member 207 has across-piece 208 disposed alongside the rock-shaft S2 in front of thesame, and has a right-hand and a left-hand arm 209 and 210,respectively, apertured adjacent the cross-piece 20S for engagingloosely about the shaft 82.

The bail 207 is positioned on the shaft 82 so that the rear end of thearm 209 is disd in front of and a short distance below the flange 206,to which it is connected by a The bail 207 is secured against lateralmovement on the shaft 8:2 by pins llengaging in holes in the shaft S2.The lengthy of the crossbar 20S is such that the arm 210 is disposeddirectly under the righthand arm 111 of the bail 112 to which it isconnected by a stiff wire link By inspection of Figures 2 and 3 it canbe seen that when the handle 200 is moved from its lowermost (Figure 3)position to its uppermost (Figure 2) position wherein it makes thestop-member effective, the gagepins 110 will be pulled down entirely outof the path of the worksheets IV. The above described co-action of thespring 193, the notch 202 and the flange 102 is effective to hold thepins 110 locked down in a disabled condition against the pressure of thespring 115.

In order that the connection between the stop 185 and the pins i110 willnot interfere with the normal operation of the latter when thestencilinpr machine is set for continuous rotation of thestencil-cyliinler 20, the link 212 has a one-Way connection with therighthand arm 111. This may be arranged by having the wire link 212extend upward through an over-size hole 213 in the arm 111 and by havingits upper end portion 214 bent over rearwardly as*illustratedinwlfigure3.

It will be noted that the rear extremity of the extension 71 of thefront feed table 21 terminates closely adjacent the bite of the cylinder20 and the platen-roller .70. This arrangement facilitates the accuratemanual insertion of work-sheets IV to stenciling posi tion after theauxiliary feeding mechanism is disabled.

The shell 172 of the cylinder 20 will have round perforations 215, whichare preferably smaller than have been used heretofore.

As the work-sheets IV are stenciled, they may be collected at thedelivery side of the cylinder 20 in a well-known way in a tray or bin216, which may be constructed like the work-sheet-receiving bindescribed in the above-noted application of Thatcher No. 334,157.

It can be readily seen that some of the features of the presentinvention described hereinbefore may be applied to character-impressingdevices other than stenciling Inachines. e

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the invention, andportions ofthe improvements may be used without others.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a stenciling machine, the combination with a stencil-carryingcylinder mounted for continuous rotation, aplaten-roller operativelyengaging said cylinder to establish a. stenciling position' for awork-sheet, and a feeding and timing mechanism effective for feeding tosaid cylinder while the same is being continuously rotated, a pluralityof work-sheets, one after another in a. predetermined time relation tothe stencilsheet on said cylinder, of means settable in al1 operativeposition for stopping said cylinder after each work-shect is stenciled,and devices operatively connected to said means and effective uponsetting the same in operative position for disabling said mechanism andpermitting work-sheets to be inserted directly to said stencilingposition.

2. In a stenciling machine having an auxiliary work-sheet feedingmechanism, the combination with a stencil-carrying cylinder mounted forcontinuous rotation and for cooperation with said mechanism to stencilrapidly-fed Work-sheets, of a stop-dcvice for said cylinder settable inone position to be without effect on said cylinder when the latter iscontinuously rotated, and settable in another position to engage saidcylinder and arrest the rotation thereof after each worksheet isstenciled.

3. In a machine for impressing inked characters on a work-sheet, incombination, a cylinder mounted for continuous rotation and' carryinginstrumentalities for determining the characters to be impressed,n'iechamsm for repisllrfeedina and timing Worksheet-.Stone rateregistration ofwork-sheets with respect vto said character-determininginstrumentali- -ties than. is attainable when said cylinder isccfmtinuouslyV and rapidly rotated.

f4. 'In a machine for impressing inked characters on a work-sheet, incombination, a cylinder mounted for continuous rotation and carryinginstrumentalities for determining the characters to be impressed,mechanism for rapidly,feedingand timing work-sheets, one after another,to said cylinder while it is continuously and rapidly rotated, andmanually-operable means controlling said feeding and timing mechanismand the rotation of said cylinder for changing the work condition ofsaid machine, for securing more accurate registration of work-sheetswith respect to'said character-determining instrumentalities, saidcontrolling means including devices-settable for stopping said rotatingcylinder after each stencil-sheet is typed and effective for disablingsaid feeding and timing mechanism. Y

5. lIn a stenciling machine, in combination. a stencil-carrying cylindermounted for continuous rotation, mechanism for rapidly feeding andtimingwork-sheets, one after another, to said cylinder while it iscontinuously and rapidly rotated, and manually-operable meanscontrolling said feeding and timing mechanism and the rotation ofsaid-cylinder sett-able to change lthe work condition of said machineforl securin'gmore accurate registration of the work-sheets with respectto the stencil-sheet on said cylinder when said worksheets are manually:fed to said cylinder.

6. In a stenciling machine having a rotatable 'stencil-cylinder, aplaten-roller engaging against the lower side of said'cylinder toestablish a stencilingv position for a worksheet and an auxiliarywork-sheet feeding mechanism operativelylconnected with said cylinder,the combination with devices for gaging said work-sheets to a startingposition from which they may be fed by said auxiliary feeding mechanismto said stenciling position in a predetermined time relation withrespect to. the stencil-sheet on said cylinder, of manually-operableinstrumentalities for removing said gaging Vdevices from the path ofsaid 'work-sheet, and a work-sheet course eX- tending betweenvtheoperative position of said gaging Vdevices and said stencilingposition, whereby the leading edge of said Worksheet may be manuallyinserted past said gaging devices into the bite of said stencil-cylinderand platen-roller after said gages are removed.

7. In a stenciling machine having a rotatable stencil-cylinder, thecombination with a displaceably-supported platen-roller engaging saidcylinder to establish a stenciling position for a work-sheet, of meansacting on the supports for said roller for adjusting the same to haveittangentially engage said cylinder.

8. In a stenciling machine having a rotatable stencil-cylinder, thecombination with a displaceably-mountedr platen-roller` engaging againstsaid cylinder to establisha stenciling posiiion for a work-sheet, ofmeans for adjusting said roller angularly in a plane substantiallyparallel to the axis of said cylinder, to bring said roller intoparallelism with said cylinder. i

9. In a stenciling machine having a rotatable stencil-cylinder, thecombination with a swing-frame, a platen-roller mounted in saidswing-frame for engagement with said cylinder to establish a. stencilingposition for a work-sheet, of means for adjusting the pivots of saidframe, so as to move the axis of said stencil-roller angularly in aplane substantially parallel t0 the axis of said cylinder to bring saidplaten-roller' into parallelism with said platen-cylinder.

l0. In a stenciling machine having a rotatable sencil-cylinder, thecombination of a platen-roller engaging aga-inst said cylinder toestablish a stenciling position for a worksheet, a swing-frame forcarrying said roller, a cross-rod in said machine substantially parallelto the axis of said cylinder, one end of said frame pivoted loosely onsaid crossrod, means for moving onek end of said crossrod angularly inaplane substantially parallel to the axis of said cylinder, whereby theaxis of said roller is brought into parallelism with the axis of saidcylinder. i

ll. The. structure described in claim 10, characterized by provision ofball-bearing units mounted on the cross-rod, said swingframe beingmounted on said bearing units, and further characterized by theprovision of ball-bearing units mounted in the opposite ends of saidswing-frame, and a shaft for said platen-roller ournaled in saidlast-named bearing units, the fro-operation of thetwo sets ofball-bearing units permitting slight sidewise adjustment movements lofsaid frame relative to said cross-rod without binding the latter or saidplaten-roller shaft.

12. In a stenciling machine having a stencil-cylinder, the combinationwith a displaceably-mounted platen-roller locked in operative positionfor engaging against the lower side of `said cylinder to establish astenciling position'for a work-sheet, means controlled by saidwork-sheet for releasing said platen-roller, and cushion means forstopping the movement of said roller away from said cylinder withoutcausing severe strain on said machine.

v 13. In a stenciling ymachine of the class described, having astencil-carrying cylinder, the combination of a platen-roller movableupward to position for engaging against the lower side of said cylinderto esablish a stenciling position for a work-sheet, a swinghams-forcarryin said roller, including a. cross-rod between t 1e sides of saidframe, and -menm for lockingsaid swing-frame in posihionlto boing saidroller into yielding engagemt'with said cylinder, said means including?a rock-shaft, an arm fast on said rockslmfty'yielding devices betweensaid arm and said cross-rod for supporting the weight of saidswing-frame and releasable means for locking said shaft agains;lrotation by the weight of said swing-frame when the latter is forsupporting said platen in operative position.

14. The structure described in claim 13, characterized by the yieldingdevices including a guide-rod fast to said cross-rod andslaidnblfyconneced toy said arm, and a helical spring disposed aroundsaid guide-rod.

1li.` In a stenciling machine having a stencil-gcyliuder, aplaten-roller engaging sai cyl-miler to establish a stenciling positionfor a work-sheet and an auxiliary work-sheet mechanism, the combinationwith work-sheet Beading-edge gages for arresting said work-sheet inposition for engagement by said auxiliary feeding mechanism, of mms forsupporting said gages in effective position, means for removing saidgages tempor to an ineifective position while a workeet is beingadvanced by said feeding mechanism from the eiective position of sudgages to wid stenciling position, and meaux operatively eonmscted to thesupports for said gages for moving the latter to, and locking them in, asecond ineffective position entirely out of the path of said work-sheet,whereby' the latter may be inserted directly to said stencilingposition.

1u; The structure described in claim 15, characterized bythe operativeconnection betwnf the locking means and the work-sheet gage-supportsbeing arranged whereby interference with the movement of said gages fromtheir effective iosition to their Iirst-named inelfective position andback again to their effective position is avoided.

17. In a stenciling machine having a stencil-carrying cylinder and aplaten-roller engaging against said cylinder to establish a stencilingposition for a work-sheet, the combination with an auxiliary work-sheetfeeding mechanism and means for timin 1 worksheets fed by said cylinder,so that t ey will mach said stenciling position in a predetermined timerelation with the stencil-sheet on said cylinder, said timing meansincluding a elm-roller disposed beyond one end of said cylinder, of' acam-member, and means for mounting said cam-member on said cylinder foroperative engagement with said cam-rolleimd for peripheral adjustmentaround said cylinder-,whereby it may control the timing of saidauxiliary feeding mechanism.

t 13. In a stenciling machine having a steneil-carrying cylinder andV aplaten-roller engaging against said cylinder to establish lstenciling-position for a work-sheet, the com bination with an auxiliarywork-sheet. fwding mechanism and means for timing woah.-

sheets fed by said cylindenso that they will t reach said stencilingposition in a merkt!!- mined time relation with the stenci -shet l saidcylinder, said timing means including o cam-roller operatively uconnected: tnv mid mechanism and disposed beyond one end of saidcylinder, of a cam-member, and mem for mounting said cam-member on saidcylinder for operative engagement with said cam-roller and forperipheral adjustment around said e linder, whereby it may control thctiming o said auxiliary mechanism, said mounting means including al endmember of said cylinder having devices iol angularly adjusting saidmember relative to the remainder of said cylinder and a shellmemberintegrally joined to said emimembor and extending outwardly into theplane of said cam-roller.

19. The structure described in claim 18, characterized by saidshell-member being in tegrally joined at the rim' of said end meinber,and said end member having a diameter to fit snugly inside theebelt-portion of said cylinder.

20. In a stenciling machine, a stencil-carrying` device including ayperforated cylindrical shell. a head in the form of an internal aamblarrib fast to sai-d shell adjacent one end thereof, and an end memberadjustably faatened to said head and having a timing device foradjusting said end member angubrly with respect to said shell, and meansu n said end member for controlling the feedoo work-sheets to thestencil.

21. In a stenciling machine, a stencil-carrying device including aperforated cylindrical shell, a head in the form of an internal annularrib 'fast to said shell adjacent one end thereof, and an end memberadjustably fastened to said head and having a timing device foradjusting said end member angularly with respect to said shell, andmeans n on said end member for controlling the f of Work-sheets to thestencil, said timing device including means effective for adjusting saidend member with a substantially micrometric movement.

JAMES E. SHAVER, Jn.

